Live attenuated vaccine
A live attenuated vaccine is a type of vaccine that is created by reducing the virulence (ability to cause disease) of a pathogen, such as a virus or bacteria, while keeping it viable. This attenuation process involves altering the infectious agent in a way that makes it harmless or less virulent. Live attenuated vaccines are distinct from vaccines produced by inactivating or "killing" the virus or bacteria.
Key characteristics of live attenuated vaccines include:
Long-lasting Protection: Live attenuated vaccines often provide long-term, potentially lifelong protection against the targeted disease. This means that individuals may not require additional doses in adulthood.
Weakened Pathogen: These vaccines are made from living viruses or bacteria that have undergone a modification process to weaken and reduce their virulence. As a result, they can still replicate in the body but do not cause severe illness.
Examples
Common examples of live attenuated vaccines include vaccines for diseases like measles, mumps, rubella, yellow fever, and some influenza vaccines.